Our 10 favorite places to hike and walk in New Buffalo, Michigan, & the surrounding area.
New Buffalo is a charming beach town along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, just under an hour from Chicago.
While visiting the beautiful beaches is the main attraction, there are many other awesome things to do in the area as well, including hiking.
We have vacation rentals in New Buffalo (click here if you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in the area), so we visit all the time.
I am sharing our favorite New Buffalo area hikes and walking paths so you can decide which trails will be best for you!
Top 10 New Buffalo Hikes: Quick List
- Warren Dunes Hiking Trails
- Galien River County Park Trails
- Dune Succession Trail
- New Buffalo Beach Trails
- 3 Dune Challenge
- Mount Baldy Trail
- Cowles Bog Trail
- Indiana Beach Walk
- Oselka Marina Walking Path
- Friendship Botanic Garden
Top 10 Hiking Trails Near New Buffalo
1. Warren Dunes State Park Hiking Trails
Location: 12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125
Trail Details: 6 miles of hiking trails
Pets/Restrooms: Leashed pets are allowed. There is also a dog-friendly section of the beach. There are various restrooms throughout the state park.
Fee: $11/vehicle for a non-resident daily pass; $14/year state parks pass for Michigan residents
Multiple trails wind through Warren Dunes State Park. The different trails (see the trail map here) will take you along Lake Michigan, through the forest, and over large dunes. The State Park is beautiful, and I love the variety it offers.
We enjoy going to the beach at Warren Dunes State Park. It is fun to climb the large dunes, hike the sandy trails, and then head back to the beach to cool off in the water and relax.
2. Galien River County Park
Location: 17424 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Trail Details: Marsh boardwalk trail 0.7 miles out-and-back; Canopy Walkway 0.25 miles out-and-back; can combine the two by going up/down the stairs; 0.85 miles for both trails without taking the stairs
Pets/Restrooms: No pets. One porta potty in the parking lot.
Fee: No fee
If you’re looking for a short and sweet hike just a few minutes from downtown New Buffalo, this is the one.
There is a wheelchair/stroller-accessible gravel path down to the lower Marsh Boardwalk, as well as a set of stairs you can take as a shortcut. Regardless of if you take the path or stairs, the way back is uphill.
The Canopy Walkway Trail (upper trail) is the better trail, in my opinion. It’s very short and completely flat, making it easy for everyone, and the view is awesome.
If you have kids with you, New Buffalo Township Park (nice playground and splash pad) – is right across the highway.
3. Dune Succession Trail
Location: 376 North County Line Road, Gary, IN 46403 (35 min from New Buffalo)
Trail Details: 0.9-mile packed dirt/sandy loop trail (easy/moderate, 270+ wooden stairs to climb)
Pets/Restrooms: Pets are permitted on a leash. Year-round restrooms are available.
Fee: $25/vehicle for a 7-day pass to Indiana Dunes National Park or free with America the Beautiful Pass. See details here.
Dune Succession Trail is located at West Beach (part of Indiana Dunes National Park).
The trail offers great views of the dunes and Lake Michigan. You can also get a clear view of the Chicago skyline most days.
The Dune Succession Trail is the first of three loop trails. West Beach (Loop 2) is 1.2 miles. Long Lake (Loop 3) is 2.2 miles. Combine all three loops for a 3.4-mile round-trip hike.
One of our favorite hikes in the area – worth the drive & fee if you will be spending time exploring other parts of the National Park as well.
4. New Buffalo Beach Trails
Location: 200 Marquette Dr, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Trail Details: Sandy trails through the dunes/grasses overlooking the beach
Pets/Restrooms: No Pets. Restrooms are available by the beach parking lot/playground.
Fee: No fee, however, if you park in the New Buffalo Beach parking lot between April 1st and October 31st, there is a $20/day fee or $7.50 for 3-hour parking.
We love walking the sandy trails that traverse the dunes overlooking New Buffalo Beach and Lake Michigan. Multiple paths wind and intersect through the grasses. Choose your path and enjoy the views.
There are also two wooden walkways (the upper one has stairs, and the lower one is wheelchair/stroller accessible) that start in the parking lot and offer spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Take a seat on one of the benches and enjoy the scenery.
5. 3 Dune Challenge
Location: Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center Chesterton, IN 46304 (30 min drive)
Trail Details: 1.5 mile-loop trail; moderate/hard difficulty (deep sand makes getting up each dune a workout)
Pets/Restrooms: No pets. Restrooms are available.
Fee: $7/vehicle for Indiana residents, $12/vehicle for out-of-state residents to enter Indiana Dunes State Park
The challenge begins at Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center. There are multiple signs throughout the hike telling you which way to go and celebrating your accomplishments as you summit each dune.
The first dune is Mt. Jackson (176 feet), the second dune is Mt. Holden (184 feet), and the final dune, Mt. Tom (192 feet) is reached via a set of stairs.
We hiked this trail on a hot summer day. It was fun, but it was tough hiking up multiple dunes in deep sand! After you conquer the challenge, you can buy a shirt and pick up a free sticker from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.
6. Mt. Baldy Trail
Location: 101 Rice Street (U.S. Highway 12), Michigan City, IN 46360 (20 min drive)
Trail Details: 0.75 miles out-and-back; easy/moderate difficulty
Pets/Restrooms: Leashed pets are allowed. Restrooms are available near the parking lot.
Fee: $25/vehicle for a 7-day pass to Indiana Dunes National Park or free with America the Beautiful Pass. See details here.
Mount Baldy is 126 feet above Lake Michigan and is slowly moving inland at about 4 feet per year.
The Mount Baldy Trail begins with a climb up a staircase and then turns to go along the side of Mount Baldy. This trail offers some of the best views of Lake Michigan you will find.
You can head back after enjoying the sweeping views or continue on the trail down to the beach. The hike down to the beach is a scramble down loose sand. Make sure that you will be able to climb back up as it is the only way out.
The Summit Trail is a short and steep hike directly up to the top of Mount Baldy. Access is restricted to ranger-led hikes only. Hike dates/times can be found on the park’s calendar or Facebook page,
7. Cowles Bog Trail
Location: 1450 North Mineral Springs Road, Dune Acres, IN 46304 (30 min drive)
Trail Details: 4.7 miles out-and-back; moderate/hard difficulty (some steep dune climbs)
Pets/Restrooms: Leashed pets are allowed. Restrooms are available near the parking lot.
Fee: $25/vehicle for a 7-day pass to Indiana Dunes National Park or free with America the Beautiful Pass. See details here.
Cowles Bog Trail offers a great variety of area features including ponds, marshes, swamps, forests, and beaches. This trail is enjoyable even if you don’t do the full thing.
The harder sections of the hike are further in near the beach. The sand is deep and the dunes are steep. Pack snacks to enjoy on the beach before heading back the way you came.
Keep in mind this trail goes through marshes and swamps, so the bugs can be really bad in the summer months.
8. Michigan/Indiana Beach Walk
Location: Along the beachfront between New Buffalo and Michigan City, IN
Trail Details: Sandy beach walk, there may be some dunes to traverse
Fee: No fee, however, if you park in the Washington Park Beach lot, the fee is $20/day from Memorial Day-Labor Day.
The public has the right to walk along the shores of the Great Lakes, even on privately owned property. Of course it is important to be respectful when doing this and stay close to the waterline.
You can hop on at any public access point between New Buffalo and Michigan City. You can make this walk along the beach short and sweet or miles long. There are times when certain portions of beaches are inaccessible due to water levels.
I recommend including Washington Park Beach in Michigan City as the beginning and/or end of your beach walk. Make sure to walk along the pier to the lighthouse.
9. Walk Around Oselka Marina
Location: 111 West Water Street New Buffalo, MI
Trail Details: Distance varies, difficulty is easy (paved walkways, mostly flat)
Fee: No Fee
This isn’t a marked trail but is my favorite walking route in New Buffalo. I have walked this route dozens of times and it is always beautiful and enjoyable!
Park either in the New Buffalo City Beach lot or along Whittaker Street. Stroll along Whittaker and over the bridge to the beach. Turn around and head back.
Once you cross the bridge again, turn right onto Water Street and continue on the path past the Harbor Grand Hotel. I usually follow the path until I get to Marina Grand Resort and then turn around and head back. Treat yourself to some ice cream after your walk. 🙂
10. Friendship Botanic Garden
Location: 2055 US-12, Michigan City, IN 46360 (10 min drive)
Trail Details: Easy paths through the landscaped gardens; easy/moderate dirt trails through the woods
Pets/Restrooms: Leashed dogs are allowed. There is a restroom at the entrance and a porta-potty near the Children’s Garden.
Fee: Adult admission ranges from $7-$10. Children are free.
Friendship Botanic Garden is a hidden gem. The paths around the manicured gardens and ponds are beautiful. The trails through the woods are peaceful.
There are so many awesome activities for kids. My toddlers had a blast when we visited. We stayed for 2 hours and easily could have stayed even longer because there was so much to do and see.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the 10 best New Buffalo hikes and walking paths! Happy travels!
